Ok to add salt last?

My new tank has shipped and will be here this coming week!

Any reason why this plan is a bad idea:

1) Do a leak test on the whole tank/sump/return/pump system with regular tap water.
2) Drain tank.
3) Aquascape (using dry rock).
4) Add sand.
5) Fill with RODI
6) Add salt and turn powerheads on
... wait for perfect mix
7) Add cup of live sand and maybe one or two live rocks

Thanks.

 

I would advise premixing the water as if you try to mic it in the tank it may settle and not get dissolved properly.

 

Here is what I did on my 55 with 30 gal sump:

1. Plumbed everything together
2. Filled both with RO/DI
3. Setup overflow and ran return pump and checked for leaks (had to tighten a union)
4. Got heater and powerheads online
5. Added salt into my sump to make sure it mixed properly (pumped into DT of course)
6. Added sand (sand came premixed, so was not too bad on the sandstorm)
7. Added live rock

Note that you will increase water level in sump by adding sand and rock, so start your sump level low.

Also, you do not want to add sand and then salt. Some of the mix will wind up unmixed in your sandbed. Better to either mix before hand or do as I did above

 

I'd definitely add the sand before the rock, you don't want sand all over your rock.

 

If you do add the salt last, and don't want to premix...Take your time and sprinkle it in lightly, a little at a time. Most likely some will settle on the sand before dissolving. For that reason, don't believe your salinity levels for a couple of days, until you are sure it is completely dissolved. You can take a turkey baster, and stir up any stubborn spots that wont dissolve, but I would let it run for 2-3 days to be sure. Also, fire up the powerheads, and sprinkle the salt into their stream.

 

Got it. Thanks!

I was told by several people that putting rock down first ensures that it will not shift/slide as sand gets moved around in the future by current/critters. My plan was to add rock first, then sand, then water. I dont think i'll have a lot of sand blowing around.

 

Thanks. Seems like pre-mixing in a rubbermaid is an easier/better idea.

 

Depends on how many batches and how large your tank is. Mine is 150. It would take forever to premix that many batches.

 

I would add water then sand.....I believe you'll get less of a sand storm that way.....or if you do add water after sand, put a plate or something solid and pour in in that one spot, that will lessen your sand storm. I would only mix the salt in the DT if that's all that's in there..... Don't you love how you get so many of the same recommendations? LOL

 

Crap I left out a step. I mixed salt water in the tank as mentioned, then added DRY rock, then sand (for the reasons you mentioned), then LIVE rock a couple days later. Good catch!